Brenda's Visit

Brenda, Kevin, and Ethan came to stay with us this past week. It was so much fun to spend time together and see her cuter than pie boys. We missed Kaitlyn, but she had school to go to. Brenda and I had fun picking out fabric for her quilt that I am going to make, and just hanging out. The time went way too fast.

Cooperman!

Cooper did this himself, and insisted that I take a picture. I accept no responsibility.

Tyler's First Basketball Game of the Season

Tyler has started another season of Basketball. He's on a good team, and he's learning a lot. His team creamed the other team this game, like 40 to 2 or something just as hideous. His team lost their second game by 4 points. It was a close game.

Christmas Surprises

Aubrey got a sewing machine from Santa! Tyler got a Robopet, and Cooper got an easel with tons of art supplies.
This is the first picture Tyler drew with his new set of real art supplies, which he got for his educational gift. Aubrey's educational gift was sewing supplies, and Cooper got a guitar!
Tyler had Cooper's name, and he found a cool truck with a trailer that held motorcycles.
Santa took pity on Brandon and bought him the hat he's been drooling over at Corral West for years.
Santa brought Mindy some new shoes! They are sooo comfy!
Brandon had Aubrey's name, and he gave her a cabbage patch newborn named Brady.

Christmas Hugs

Pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa

The kids and parents got much needed and very cute pajamas from Grandma Lynda and Grandpa Lauritz for Christmas.

Kurt Bestor Concert

So, last night and the night before I got to play in the Kurt Bestor concerts in Idaho Falls and Pocatello. The Pocatello one was awesome! The place is amazing, Stevens Hall or something, it's new and beautiful and huge. The concert went so well. IF wasn't as amazing, but Brandon and Aubrey got to watch it, so that was neat.

Oh, and I did get to meet Kurt--he hung out with us in the "green room".

Yes, Adam, we live in the woods

Collin Raye Concert

Guess what I did last night? I played my violin in the Collin Raye concert!!! It was his Christmas concert, with an orchestra, and I got to be in the orchestra! It was so much fun, and I am so tired today. We had a 2 hour rehearsal, then a break, then the concert. I was actually on stage with Collin Raye...but unfortunately I didn't get to meet him. :o( The most awesome song to play was "I Can Still Feel You". Wow, was that a rush!

Lauritz and Lynda drove clear up to IF and back just to see the concert! Luckily I was able to beg two comp tickets for them. (They only gave 1 per orchestra member).

O Christmas Trees, O Christmas Trees

On Saturday we drove up to Ashton, bought two permits, and cut down our own Christmas trees. It was a lot of fun! We waded through very deep snow, knee deep for Brandon, waist deep for Cooper! It's hard to tell from the picture, but the top tree, which is our upstairs tree, has two trunks! It starts as one and branches off. We thought it was fun and unique.
This is the "kids' tree" downstairs. They had fun decorating it! All of the red ornaments are borrowed from Annette...otherwise it would have been quite bare.

After Pictures

Brenda requested pictures of my new carpet...it's hard to tell from these pictures what it really looks like, but maybe you can get an idea. I think in real life it looks a little darker and less pink. If you want to see the true carpet, come visit me!

My "Elephant"

Cooper put my shoes on his hands and feet one day and played elephant for a long time. It was quite funny...I just had to take a picture.
Don't look at the house! We were in the getting carpet mode!

Tyler's 9th Birthday

Tyler celebrated his 9th birthday on November 27th. He had his traditional double layer chocolate cake with pink frosting. He saw one many years ago at a bakery, and has asked for one every year since. He usually has a cherry on top, but the local grocery bakery wouldn't sell me one like they have in the past, but he wanted a #9 candle anyway, so it worked out well. The chocolate sprinkles were a new addition this year.

A Camoflauge Suit

For anyone who remembers that Cooper wanted a camoflauge suit for Christmas last year.... would you believe that it actually exists? I found this in a magazine, and just had to share!

Thanksgiving Festivities

For Thanksgiving we went to Dad and Mom Howell's. It was a fun time! We missed Brenda and Troy and kids, but it was fun to see everyone else. As you can see from the next few posts, we had a wild and crazy fun time! We also went to see The Work and the Glory III the day after Thanksgiving. And we can't forget, Dad, Mindy, Brandon, and Adam went shopping...at 5 a.m.! For SD cards and hard drives. Now tell me that's not exciting!


The Thanksgiving Tower

Scale Squeezing

For some reason, we have to keep playing the scale squeezing game, even though Brandon and Mindy win every time! I guess maybe someday someone will be able to beat the Smith Team. (We just squeeze a scale and see who can squeeze the most weight.)

Go Brandon! Yeah Team Smith!
Dad racking up the numbers.
Mom has a method...the position, the facial expression...
Aubrey even gave it a try!
Emily trying a new strategy...resting on the legs.
Dallas had a hard time getting much weight at first, but she got it figured out, and then did just fine!
Jason injuring his wrists.
Ashley was hilarious. She stood on the scale and said, "I don't have a clue what that number is!" Don't we all feel that way sometimes?

The Flyswatter Balloon Game

Okay, there's this game.... if I tell you that my mom learned it at the Old Folks' Home, you might understand it a little bit better. You hit a balloon with a flyswatter. That's it! It was actually quite funny to watch, and the kids really loved it. And Mom really really loved it!

Olivia and Tyler swatting a fly? No, it's a balloon!
Adam had a more delicate approach to swatting.
Dallas, Jason, and Ashley, getting in on the action.
Didn't I tell you that Mom loved this game?
Cooper waiting for the chance to win the game...

Thanksgiving Memories

Emily in the kitchen.
Mom dancing, or cutting pie, or serving pie, or hiding...


Mindy with Cherry Pie
















Brandon and Olivia

More Thanksgiving Fun

Olivia and Ashley trying to blow up balloons. Olivia finally gave up and gave it to Grandma to blow up.


Adam demonstrating his modeling expertise. Here is Adam, sporting a handsome jacket from the 8-year-old line...


Emily and Adam sittin' on a couch...k..i..s..s..i..n..
OUCH! Don't hit me, Adam!

We're Getting New Carpet!

Here's a "before" picture of the basement.
Tyler working hard.

This is how we're living for a few days. It is great trying to find clothes, shoes, etc. The end product will be great, though! We'll have nice new carpet, and hopefully a more organized house. My plan is to only put back the stuff I really want back. It'll be beautiful!